Slow 40 speed by Te’o brings fresh set of doubts

Manti Te'os split in the 40-yard dash left much to be desired. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

INDIANAPOLIS — After making a good impression in interviews over the weekend, former Notre Dame inside linebacker Manti Te’o showed disappointing speed Monday.

Te’o, who is 6-1 and weighed 241 pounds when he arrived at the scouting combine, ran two hand-held 40-yard dashes in the 4.8s at Lucas Oil Stadium. His electronic time was a pedestrian 4.82. That’s not good for players at his position who have to drop into pass coverage.

Defensive coaches prefer linebackers who can break a 4.7. They said Te’o would have solidified his position as a first-round pick if he showed the speed and athleticism that’s required for No. 1 picks who play inside.

Te’o, who had a vertical jump of 33 inches, wasn’t the only slow inside linebacker. LSU’s Kevin Minter, projected to be selected near the bottom of the first round or early in the second, ran a 4.81.

The only two linebackers to break 4.6 were Missouri’s Zaviar Gooden (4.47) and Georgia’s Cornelius Washington (4.55).

Players who put on disappointing performances at the combine have chances to make up for it at their pro day and during private workouts.

Because of the hoax about his imaginary girlfriend, no player has been under more pressure at the combine than Te’o. He impressed several hundred members of the media at his news conference. Coaches, scouts and team executives came away from 15-minute interviews impressed with the way Te’o handled himself.

Now Te’o has a lot of improving to do before he runs the 40 again to show he has the speed for coverage. If he runs more 4.8s, expect him to fall out of the first round.

Linebackers and defensive backs participated in drills Monday. The defensive backs, who always have some of the fastest 40 times, work out Tuesday, the last day of the combine.

Meanwhile, the agent for high first-round prospect Star Lotulelei confirmed the defensive tackle from Utah has a heart condition. He will undergo more extensive heart tests when he returns to Utah. ESPN reported Lotulelei has a left ventricle that is not operating at maximum capacity.